Major changes needed in Ettalong, says Chamber

The Peninsula Chamber of Commerce has called for "extra incentives and a major overhaul of business conditions" in Ettalong so that the town can remain competitive with Umina and Woy Woy shopping centres.

"There are many excellent retailers in Ettalong but without extra incentives and a major over hall of business conditions in the town, it is very hard to draw additional customers into the village," said Chamber president Mr Matthew Wales.

Mr Wales said it was essential in a town such as Ettalong to provide convenient kerbside parking, redevelop poor commercial stock, introduce residential living in the town centre and form an economic strategic plan for its long-term future.

"This is largely in the hands of Gosford Council which needs to maintain kerbside parking, introduce new planning guidelines, provide incentives for developers and champion an economic plan for the Peninsula as a whole.

"Regrettably we have been waiting six years for the introduction of the new Gosford Local Environmental Plan which has left property owners uncertain over the future of their commercial properties in the village."

Mr Wales said the Chamber was disappointed that Council still had not moved on the Chamber's suggested Peninsula Master Planning Committee which aimed address the flagging fortunes of both Ettalong Beach and Woy Woy retail centres.

He said the joint Government funded $100,000 Peninsula Vision document was still sitting on a shelf gathering dust nearly seven years after being completed.

"At the time, a Special Rate Levy to fund economic growth was rejected and the Chamber would not support a levy again."

Mr Wales said levies were not the answer, claiming that ratepayers were already taxed enough.

"Better directed and more effective use of existing funds should be encouraged," he said.

"However, many of the programs developed in Peninsula Vision could still be implemented with Council and State Government support.

"It is imperative that a Peninsula wide economic strategic plan be developed and implemented to co-ordinate and encourage business growth," said Mr Wales.

Mr Wales said: "Ettalong Beach is a great little tourist centre but is under enormous pressure from booming businesses in the Umina Beach retail precinct.

"Despite repeated efforts over the years to revitalise the village, you ultimately need more main street foot traffic for the town to be sustainable, you need customers.

"The Chamber can only do so much before you need major intervention from government," he said.

Media Release, 25 Apr 2011 Matthew Wales, Peninsula Chamber of Commerce